JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A man has been indicted on federal charges for shining a laser pointer at an aircraft.

John Tyler Pennywitt, 41, was initially arrested on June 6 for the
misuse of a laser device on an aircraft after he aimed a laser pointer
into the cockpit of a Jacksonville Sheriff's Office helicopter on June 3
and 4.

Pennywitt could face a $500,000 fine and up to 10 years in prison if
convicted, according to a release from the office of U.S. Attorney
Robert E. O'Neill.

JSO and the U.S. Department of Transportation investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Taylor will prosecute the case.

The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 has established a new
criminal offense for aiming the beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft,
according to the release. President Barack Obama signed the Act in
February.